Fr. David Kelleher OFM Cap. and Ard Mhuire Friary

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FROM BALLYVOURNEY TO CREESLOUGH Fr. David of Ards In October 1934 a young clerical student from Cork came to Donegal to continue his studies at the Capuchian Friary in Ards, near Creeslough following his first profession in the Order. Last month Fr. David celebrated his eightieth birthday in the Friary and among the people he came to love in his second home here in Donegal. "With my first glimpse of Donegal I fell in love with it and I never wanted to live anywhere else". He confesses as he talks about his life, his times and his new book "A History of Ards" which documents the history of the estate down the centuries. Born David Kelleher the family home is in Cullea, Ballyvourney and Fr. David recalls his next door neighbour whom he searches as a man of unique talent and a rare genius who died long before his time. Fr. David recalls growing up in this beautiful traditional Irish settling of solitude culture and Irish music with the Ballyvourney area already renowned for its history. He received his secondary education at Rochestown College and his vocation then brought him to the Franciscan College in Kilkenny which he entered in September 1929 to commence his probation year. Some three years later he made his first profession at the National University in Cork where he obtained his degree in philosophy under the professor of the James O'Mahoney. Following his final profession he completed an M.A. degree in Cork before coming to Donegal in 1934. Next October Fr. David will celebrate fiftyfive years in the priesthood - along with Fr. Nicholas he was ordained in the "old Friary" in October 1937 and today his skills, knowledge and many talents continue to occupy a very full life and he is rarely ever in bed before midnight. Following his ordination Fr. David went to Rome to studies for a Doctorate in Theology which he obtained at the International College for Capuchians. The war clouds were gathering over Europe says Fr. David and there was a very real fear that the clerical students in Rome could be called up for in Military service and life in Mussolini had teamed up with Hitler and the outbreak of war brought a reality to all Italians of its destruction and horror. Rationing of all essentials became a way of life and Fr. David recalls losing a stone in weight. Having achieved his degree he was unable to leave Rome and indeed was not able to write home until 1943. He then managed to sent a letter via the United States with a friend and was to receive a reply from Cullea via the same indirect route. While awaiting the war to end he took a course in Holy Scripture and talks in glowing terms about one of his professors - Carol Augustin Bea and then went on to obtain a Diploma in library science at the Vatican. It was here he was granted a private audience with his Holiness the late Pope Pious the 12th - "He was the greatest Pope of all, a deeply religious man who in the aftermath of the war was badly totally wrong because after all he had spent twel…